The railroad led to new discoveries of precious metals.

The railroad required immense quantities of of coal to build.

The railroads made it easier for ranchers and farmers to ship goods back east.

The railroad frightened Indian tribes, who retreated to reservations.

To reduce the amount of money spent supporting Native Americans

To undermine the legal basis of the treaties made with Native American tribes

To encourage Native Americans to assimilate into mainstream society

To guarantee that Native Americans enjoyed constitutionally protected civil rights.

Clashes erupted between farmers and ranchers over land.

African Americans flooded to the west because of cheap land.

Many mining towns became “ghost towns.

The population of Plains Indians declined over time.

Federal Indian agents assisted Native Americans with growing crops on reservations

Native Americans went hungry while Federal Indian agents grew wealthy

The Federal government supplied Native Americans with good land

The livestock raised on reservations were diseased and poisoned

peaceful coexistence

mutual respect

further conflict

equality